This is love.

I just got back from driving Andrew to school. On our way through the carpool line he was talking about the Valentines' treats in his book bag and wondering when they'd be passing them out in class - anticipating whether he'd have to wait all day for chocolates he was drooling over.

I am so not prepared for Valentines Day. I honestly can't believe it's already the middle of February. Last night Andrew reminded me that he needed treats to bring to school so we ran to Target and joined 50 other mom's and elementary age kids on the "aisle of love-chocolates." It seriously looked like a bomb had hit. Mismatched candy and gifts everywhere. Being all creative, we grabbed four packs of non-Valentines mini Kit Kats and decided Andrew write, "From Andrew" with a Sharpie on the back of each one. Thank goodness he's a boy who doesn't care about the packaging.

This morning as we drove through carpool, I started wondering what I should do for Andrew and Joshua for Valentines Day. I knew it might mean a trip back through the "aisle of love-chocolates." But instead of assuming I asked, "Andrew, what makes you feel loved?"

He thought for a minute and said, "THIS."

"This?"

"Yea. This. You being with me. You driving me to school and talking to me about my day. You telling me you'll be there when I get home. That makes me feel loved and secure. Thanks mom. I love you, bye!"

And he hopped out of the car.

This is love?

You mean, I don't have to run to Target? I can just be here for him and that will be love. Even though I was a mean mommy yesterday so much that he asked if I was mad about something more than once. This is still love?

I stopped to wonder if God were to ask me what makes me feel loved today, what would I say? I thought how true Andrew's words are:

This is love.

• A promise that is kept.
• A place that is certain.
• Someone being there.
• Love being present again and again.

Today, because of my son's simple child-like heart, I see what love is. And my heart whispers..."Lord, this is love. You asking and caring. You being there. You keeping Your promises like You said you would. This is love. This makes me feel secure."

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us (first) and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins... And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him....There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect (complete) in love. We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4: 10, 16-19.

We are loved. We don't have to wait for God to show it. He already has. He promised He'd always be there for us and He is. He is present and listening. Asking and caring. No matter what we are going through today, we can live and love from the overflow of being loved. We can know and rely on God's promises and presence and be made complete in Him. And this is love.

Oh, Lord, remind us and embrace us and pour out on us your perfect, completing and unfailing love today. As we think of those we love and the ways we want to be loved, remind us that we are Yours and we are loved!!!

Update: I just got a call from Lysa about the plane crash in upstate New York. Please pray for these families. O Lord, may they feel your very present help and the power of your love for them in this tragic loss.